Gucci at AJ Wright

I actually felt giddy – yes, giddy– when I read that the new AJ Wright in Westgate Plaza (which we previously discussed here) has a Gucci bag for sale.

Gucci. Ahhhhh. I love, love, love Gucci.

Just two problems. 1. It’s the monogram version. I try staying away from those monogram bags because they remind me of the knock-offs. Replicas, it seems, are always covered in the lettering. And, the ones that aren’t fake (which I am sure this one is not) are just a little too show-offy and flashy. “Screaming G’s” aren’t my style, even if it is one of the two best letters in the alphabet. 2. It costs $500. Holy cannoli. If I were to consider treating myself to a $500 bag (or asking for it as a gift :) ), it would have to be all leather, and larger.

For more on what they have at the new AJ Wright, check out this AOA post.

I’m not sure if they carry Coach, since I didn’t go to the store (I just read what AOA’s shopping blogger had to say). I know the Saratoga Springs TJ Maxx often has Coach, though, as does the TJ’s in Latham (although the ones at those discount stores tend to be the ones covered in the Cs).

Fake ones are, typically, not as well constructed. You pay $15 for a “Kate Spade” you pluck off the table in the back of some store in China Town (really) and I can pretty much promise you it starts peeling apart at the seams in a week or so.

Counterfit bags are never worth the $40 that you pay for them. Like Kristi said – they fall apart. And the Kate Spade loga you just paid for – is probably glued on and will fall off in no time.

A real bag however – will last you forever. I have a Fendi bag that I got more than 8 years ago that still looks exactly like it did they day I got it.

And the makers of real bags (generally) stand behind their product. I know Kristi posted a bad experience she had having the zipper on a Coach bag fixed – but I had a great experience with having broken hardware on a Coach bag replaced. Not only did they fix the damaged hardware – but the repaired some leather that was wearing on the handles. It came back looking almost brand new. And it was more than two years old.

That’s kind of my point, Kristi. Not wanting lettering on a genuine bag because you think other people will think it’s fake is pretty rediculous. If you’re buying the bag for the quality, as long as you like the design it shouldn’t matter what the design is. But not liking the design for the above reason seems… well, the only word I can come up with is tacky.

And for the record, yes I have a $100 bag… yep, my man-bag, murse, what have you. I picked it because it fit my needs, and what other people would think of it wasn’t any part of the decision.

B, fair enough. Maybe I wasn’t clear about what I meant: the mongram makes me think of knockoffs and I personally don’t care for that mental association. And … I have that thought when I look at the AJ Wright bag, even though I have no doubt it’s real.

I bought a bag at TJ Maxx by Paolo Masi. (I think I spelled that right) – I’d never heard of him/it before but I absolutely love that bag! It was about $120 in TJ Maxx but it feeeeeels like buttah. I strongly suggest getting one if you happen upon one.

This being the same AJ Wright that we classified as a comparison to Old Navy? Old Navy better step it up. And this might change the discussion of the demographic they are looking for.

But really ladies, if you spend $500 on this bag, why do you need to have 7 others hanging in the closet? If I’m going to spend $500 on something it better last me until it can’t fit any longer, like a suit.

LOL! Im hearign everyone talk so much about Knockoffs, but I have news unless youre getting your bag directly from the Gucci store or from A Major dept store, it’s A knockoff! And Beleive me there are knockoffs ou there so finel crafted NOONE can tell the difference! why do you think Knockoffs are such big buisness?

I have a coach bag with all the Cs all over it and its real, bought it in a coach store. I love it, it takes all kind of abuse. I am going to be more self-counscious of it now that apparently everyone thinks its a knockoff! :(

I got the Louis Vuitton Speedy 30 from my mom for my 20th birthday 2 years ago and love it. We bought it from Saks in Westchester. I’m not being snobby or anything…but my mom got my initials imprinted on the tag on the front just in case someone took it or something. I often wonder what people think about me….no I am not rich at all nor am I spoiled. I went to college–paid for it myself by taking out loans and now I’m working 8-5 at a job in my field. It’s a shame that if someone sees a young girl with a LV in upstate NY they think it’s fake. I guess it’s b/c it usually is fake..but people that talk to me won’t even look at my face–they will look down at my bag.

Goonie, the only authentic LV I own is a money clip. My man bag is Lacoste.

“It’s a shame that if someone sees a young girl with a LV in upstate NY they think it’s fake.” – Erin, you’re right…it is a shame, but then again so is the fact that if the police see a young person in a nice car they think their either a drug dealer or spoiled, God forbid they actually worked for it, like you said.

That cashier is thinking the commission would be bigger then their usual paycheck. But can you hear it now “Bob can we get a price check on the Mercedes in Aisle 3″. If you are going to be able to get the label that you want it shouldn’t matter who the name on the door says unless its like the perfume shops the knowingly sell knockoffs. There are tools available at Harbor Freight and Grossmans that would likely cost me 15-20% more at Home Depot or Lowe’s. I’ll go to Harbor Freight or Grossmans to make sure I’m getting what I wanted.

I have come across the locked up designer bags at a few of the local TJX stores. (I do tend to avoid AJ Wright though – this sounds snobby – I think the stores smell like plastic)
If you like the one they have and have the money saved to treat yourself, it’s a great deal. Not a wise impulse buy at $500, though.
I treated myself to a large Coach logo bag (at Macy’s) in the early spring. I carefully chose a fabric bag in black & grey b/c I thought it would get me through all seasons. I have not purchased or used another bag since. The easy care, lighter weight logo fabric was the right choice for me – it’s all about personal preference.